Pinky swear: Mbappe promises to start playing defence

Until a decade ago, it was fairly common for attacking superstars to be given freedom and limited defensive duties. However, the times of Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Thierry Henry, Ronaldo Nazario, Eden Hazard, and others are long gone - Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar are the last of the Mohicans - and in today's ruthless tactical and physical football, where the slightest detail can prevail, everybody has to put in some defensive effort.

Without everyone's contribution, a team becomes vulnerable, and if rivals exploit it, problems arise.

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Kylian Mbappe has been one of the best players in the world for years and a follower of the old-school approach mentioned above, often shirking defensive responsibilities. Others have to defend, he is there to score goals.

Nevertheless, that won't fly with the France national team, as the World Cup victory is Les Bleus' priority, and to achieve that, everyone has to put in everything they've got.

Therefore, Mbappe's relaxed approach was not well received by the French squad, as Ousmane Dembele, who has learned the importance of defending at Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique, reportedly spoke to the Real Madrid superstar on behalf of the entire team and - although Kylian is the captain - urged him to play defence.

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Given the overwhelming public pressure on him, Mbappe seemed to have learned a lesson.

Answering questions from his friends and family via Le Parisien, the Frenchman was asked a joking question about his defensive skills by his brother, Lille forward Ethan.

The question was playful, but Kylian's response was very serious.

"I need to take the extra step [with my defensive work] because it's something important for the team and I have to do it."

"It will start this time because we want to win, and to win, I'm ready to do whatever because I want to win at all costs," he said via the BBC.

A genuine change of heart or just what everyone wants to hear - France's World Cup opener against Senegal tomorrow (22.00) may show.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE

First round

Thursday, 11.06.

Mexico - South Africa 2-0 (1-0)

/Quinones 9, Jimenez 67/

Friday, 12. 06.

South Korea - Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0)

/Hwang In Beom 67, Oh Hyeon-Gyu 80 - Krejci 59/

Canada - B&H 1-1 (0-1)

/Larin 78 - Lukic 21/

Saturday, 13.06.

USA - Paraguay 4-1 (3-0)

/Bobadilla 7 og, Balogun 31, 45+5, Reyna 90+8 - Mauricio 73/

Qatar - Switzerland 1-1 (0-1)

/Khoukhi 90+4 - Embolo 17 pen/

Sunday, 14.06.

Brazil - Morocco 1-1 (1-1)

/Vinicius 42- Saibari 21/

Haiti 0-1 Scotland (0-1)

/McGinn 29/

Australia - Turkey 2-0 (1-0)

/Irankunda 27, Metcalfe 75/

Germany - Curacao 7-1 (3-1)

/Nmecha 6, Schlotterbeck 38, Havertz 45+3(p), 88, Musiala 47, Brown 68, Undav 78 - Comenencia 21/

Netherlands - Japan 2-1 (0-0)

/Van Dijk 51, Summerville 64 - Nakamura 57/

Monday, 15.06.

Ivory Coast - Ecuador 1-0 (0-0)

/Diallo 90/

Sweden - Tunisia 5-1 (2-1)

/Ayari 7, 90+6, Isak 30, Gyokeres , Svanberg 84 - Rekik 43/

Spain - Cabo Verde IN PROGRESS

22.00: (1.70) Belgium (4.00) Egypt (4.75)

Tuesday 16.06.

01.00: (7.50) Saudi Arabia (4.20) Uruguay (1.47)

04.00: (1.95) Iran (3.35) N.Zealand (4.20)

22.00: (1.47) France (4.50) Senegal (6.75)

***odds are subject to change***